Dongfeng race team sail near the harbor of the Hague, the Netherlands, on June 30, 2018. Chinese car maker Dongfeng Motor Corporation celebrated on Saturday in the Hague the victory that Dongfeng Race Team clinched one week ago in the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race. (Xinhua/Rick Nederstigt)
THE HAGUE, June 30 (Xinhua) -- With a festive gathering of sports and commercial partners on Saturday in the harbour of the Hague, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, China's second largest car maker, celebrated the victory that Dongfeng Race Team clinched one week ago in the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race.
Dongfeng race team, exclusively sponsored by the Wuhan-based car and truck manufacturer, skippered by Charles Caudrelier of France, was the first Chinese-flagged entry ever to win the Volvo Ocean Race.
Last Sunday, Dongfeng boat took the coastal route into The Hague in the Netherlands from Gothenburg in Sweden and arrived at the finish-line almost 16 minutes ahead of Team AkzoNobel with Spain's Mapfre third and Team Brunel fourth.
Speaking at the team's final campaign press conference, Team Director Bruno Dubois stressed that the values of the sailing team perfectly reflected those of its sponsor.
"It is all about trust, care and love, and it is all about being professional, progressive and integrated. The only difference between us is that Dongfeng's offices are based in Wuhan while ours is based around four oceans and seven continents," said Dubois.
"Around the world millions of people have watched the success of our sailors, either visiting the stopover ports or following the race in the media and online. We are delighted that Dongfeng is now an established international brand as a result," he said.
An Tiecheng, deputy general manager of Dongfeng Motor Corp, told the conference that Dongfeng sailers' performance in the race reflects the ambition of the Corporation to strengthen cooperation with partners from all over the world.
"This also goes parallel with the spirit of the Belt & Road Initiative launched by China -- invite all partners work together to achieve a win-win scenario in the longer term worldwide," he said.
Dongfeng team started back in 2013 and finished third overall in the last Volvo Ocean race in 2014-15. For the 2017/18 edition, Dongfeng had a 12-strong sailing squad from six nations and regions that combines youth with experience. As in the 2014-15 edition, the sailing crew includes three young Chinese pioneering sailors.
